In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
The like-minded institutions, in full coordination and with a clear understanding of their historical responsibility toward the country and the fate of the dear people of Afghanistan, appreciate the efforts of the United Nations in the field of humanitarian assistance and its attention to the situation of the country. At the same time, however, they emphasize that the crisis in Afghanistan is deep-rooted, multidimensional, and political in nature, and that reducing it merely to humanitarian aid or technical engagement with the Taliban does not respond to the bitter realities prevailing in Afghan society.
Following the transfer of power to the Taliban on August 15, 2021, widespread poverty and unemployment have engulfed all the people of Afghanistan. Severe legal, employment, and educational restrictions have been imposed on the population, especially on women and girls. In addition, the health crisis, economic instability accompanied by the expansion of child labor as a result of Afghanistan’s international isolation, forced marriages, violations of freedom of expression, suppression of the media, psychological insecurity, and social fear have compelled many people to undertake large-scale migration through dangerous and illegal routes paths that often end in certain death.
Single group domination, the systematic exclusion of the political and civil society from participation in determining the country’s fate, and the implementation of discriminatory ethnic and sectarian policies have further deepened the existing crisis.
In its most recent action, the Taliban, through an inhumane and un-Islamic approach, have committed a grave insult to all the historical struggles and achievements of the Afghan people for justice, equality, and the rule of law. In a document titled “Penal Code of the Courts,” they have openly violated human dignity and the principle of religious and sectarian equality. By applying explicit religious discrimination, this group has recognized only the followers of one sect as Muslims and labeled followers of other sects as innovators (heretics). Such an approach, contrary to the teachings of the true religion of Islam and the foundations of human rights, divides society into different classes in a medieval manner. Through these policies, the Taliban have effectively legitimized slavery, defined women as concubines and husbands as masters and owners, and imposed a set of humiliating punishments on society.
The aforementioned organizations believe that the continuation of such policies not only increases the suffering of the Afghan people, but also continues to maintain the country as a potential threat to regional and global security.
The institutions issuing this statement call on the United Nations to abandon a reductionist and overly optimistic approach in its engagement with the Taliban and the limitation of its agenda to working groups. Instead, relying on credible United Nations Security Council resolutions particularly with regard to ensuring lasting peace, respecting human rights, especially the rights of women, ethnic groups, and different religious communities, combating terrorism, and creating the conditions for the formation of a system arising from the genuine will of the Afghan people، the United Nations should outline a clear framework for a political process under its leadership. The success of any political initiative by the United Nations depends directly on its commitment to these principles and its responsiveness to the legitimate demands of the people of Afghanistan.
In this regard, the United Nations must effectively and coherently use all political and diplomatic capacities and leverage of its member states to compel the Taliban to implement their international obligations, including initiating and advancing negotiations and intra-Afghan dialogue, and halting the systematic violations of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Afghan people violations that, unfortunately, have reached an unprecedented and unacceptable level under the so-called “Penal Code of the Courts.” The continuation of a reductionist approach in this matter will cause serious and irreparable damage not only to the fundamental interests of the Afghan people, but also to the collective interests of member states and to the legal and moral credibility and standing of the United Nations.
With full commitment to the national interests of the people of Afghanistan, the sponsoring institutions of this statement declare their complete readiness to participate actively, responsibly, and purposefully in the Afghan peace process within the framework of national consensus and in coordination and constructive engagement with other political, civil, and social forces of the country, and to fulfill their historical and national responsibility toward achieving the aforementioned objectives.
National Assembly for the Salvation of Afghanistan
Supreme Council of National Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan
National Movement for Peace and Justice of Afghanistan